Sensitive skin doesn’t just stop at your hairline. Irritation and dryness can spread to the scalp, too. “If you have sensitive skin, it can affect your entire body,” dermatologist and RealSelf contributor Joshua Zeichner, M.D., tells SELF. And even if you don’t have sensitive skin anywhere else, you can have irritation on your scalp. “Because of the abundance of hair follicles on the scalp, topical ingredients may actually penetrate to a greater degree on the scalp than they do on other parts of the body.”

So how do you know if your scalp is sensitive? There can be many signs including itching, flaking, redness, burning, tingling, or tightness. Also if your scalp is prone to extremes, meaning it’s either super oily or super dry, it may be considered sensitive. Your irritated scalp also might be a sign of a larger problem. “Scalp diseases, such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, hair loss, or folliculitis, may exacerbate scalp sensitivity,” says RealSelf dermatologist Sejal Shah, M.D. “There are a number of other external factors that can cause scalp sensitivity—harsh shampoos, ingredients in hair products, pollution, stress, chlorine, even climatic conditions (sun, wind, etc.).”

One way to get a handle on a sensitive scalp is to pay close attention to the ingredients in the products you’re using. Parabens, phthalates, alcohol, and fragrance can all cause stinging, red patches, or other uncomfortable reactions. Doctors also warn that sodium laureth sulfate and sodium laurel sulfate, cleansing agents that help create a rich, foaming lather in most shampoos, aren't great for sensitive skin types. Joel Schlessinger, M.D., a dermatologist and RealSelf contributor, tells SELF, “Those with sensitive scalps should always avoid sulfates as they dry out skin and hair, contributing to rashes and blemishes. Avoiding sulfates is particularly important for skin that is prone to eczema, allergies, or other irritations as sulfates are a common trigger for flare-ups.”

You also want to minimize how often you’re shampooing. Depending on your hair type, Zeichner says you can even go a full week without shampooing. Shah agrees, and adds, “People with sensitive skin shouldn't overwash their hair, but also don't want to wait so long that they get buildup on the scalp.”

It’s also important to be careful of your sensitive scalp when styling your hair. “Dry, flaky skin on the scalp can be further irritated from physical trauma such as aggressively brushing the hair, where the bristles of the brush scratch against the skin on the scalp,” says Zeichner. Schlessinger agrees and suggests using a wide-tooth comb or a brush with soft bristles to style hair. Also lay off the heat styling, since it can dry out your scalp even more.

One last tip: All of our dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen (or a hat). “It’s important to remember that areas like the scalp and the part in your hair are always exposed and often left unprotected,” says Schlessinger. “These areas, although easy to miss, burn just as quickly as the rest of the body.”

Don't worry, we got you covered with SPF options that won't gunk up your hair. Check out those and 15 other dermatologist-approved hair products for sensitive skin below. Remember: If you know you're sensitive to certain ingredients, you should still check the labels carefully.